THE MASTERTON SEAT.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXI, Issue 3037, 6 November 1908, Page 5

THE MASTERTON SEAT.

INTERVIEW WITH MR J. HUNTER. MR HOGG'S KURIPUNI ADDRESS. Yesterday a Wairarapa Age reporter had an interview with Mr J. Hunter, who had returned the day previously to Masterton after delivering a number of addresses in the coyntry districts in support of his candidature for the Masterton seat. "How was the country looking?" queried the Pressman. "The prospects throughout the country are good, and the farmers are very hopeful for the future," replied Mr Hunter. "Do you care to make any prediction as to the result of the election in Masterton," continued the reporter. "Well," said Mr Hunter, "you never know, of course, until the numbers go up, but I have every reason to be satisfied with the success of my candidature so far. Everywhere I have been well received and have had good meetings. The large attendance at some of the meetings was quite a surprise to me." THE FREEHOLD. "The whole of the farmers are favourable to the freehold tenure, and consider that it is the only land tenure under which the country can be properly developed. I may, also, say that the farmers will not take kindly to too much detail legislation in connection with the carrying on of their industries, although they recognise that a great deal of good work has been done by the Agricultural Department." MR HOGG'S CRITICISM. In reply to a question from the reporter as to whether he had read the reports of Mr Hogg's recent address at Kuripuni, Mr Hunter said he had done so, and could not understand what was the matter with Mr Hogg to cause him to talk in the way he had done. MR HUNTER AND THE BOROUGH COUNCIL. "Why," continued Mr Hunter, "my opponent knows nothing whatever of my work in the Council. I may say in connection therewith that when elected I polled 935 votes, which is a vote that any resident of the town may be proud of, especially as I contested the seat with such a highly respected member of the community as Mr E. McEwen, who had rendered the town yeoman services in various capacities. I have, of course, differed with some of my confreres, on various questions, but I have always advocated businesslike and economical administration. I think," continued Mr Hunter, "that if you will look into the question of Borough finances that you will see that there is great need for economical administration. I have yet to learn that those who voted for me are in the least dissatisfied with my , services in the Council. In fact, on the contrary, many ratepayers have congratulated me heartily on the stand I have taken on various questions. I would certainly answer to any meeting of Masterton ratepayers with absolute confidence and a good conscience. I am afraid that Mr Hogg is as ignorant of Borough Council affairs as he | has been unsuccessful in the work ot promoting Mastejton's progress. As a matter of fact Mr Hogg has had a very good time of it for many years past, but he has been a poor steward of the district's interests."

THE OREGON PINE DUTY. "Mr Hogg's remarks in reference to the duty on Oregon pine were very foolish. If he hao any knowledge at all of the trade he would not have made the blunders he has. For instance, he disputed that the timber was cut and milled by Chinese and Japanese. Well, sipce Mr Hogg cannot find out for himself, and as he will not take my word for it, perhaps, he will be good enough to look at page 70, of the "Weekly Press" in its issue of 28th ult. There he will find a report of an interview with Captain Horne, Marine Superintendent of the Indra Line, who is at present visiting Lyttelton in the steamer Indravelli, which brought a large shipment of Oregon pine to New Zealand ports. Part of the article reads as follows: "Captain Horne stated that the whole of the Oregon pine imported into Naw Zealand was ordered by the importers in various lengths and sizes. The lumber was cut and 'milled' to the required sizes by Chinese and Japanese labour in the mills of British Columbia." * Mr Hogg, of course wants to get out of his difficulty," continued Mr Hunter, "but I do not advocate a duty on Oregon pine to make housebuilding dear, but TO KEEP MEN IN EMPLOYMENT.

There are enough men out of employment already. I repeat Mr Hogg's criticism of my remarks re a duty on Oregon pine is the veriest rubbish. The chief reason why house-building, like many other things, is dear to-day, is because of the extravagance of the Government, and the manner in which large sums of money have been flung about instead of being expended in ways that would have been of most benefit to the producers of the country. As I have said, it is better to produce a sovereign than to borrow it, but Mr Hogg appears to think that in matters financial the duty of the Government does not extend beyond borrowing money." ECONOMY AND PROGRESS. Mr Hunter went on to say that Mr Hogg appeared to be much amused at the idea of economical administration, and ridiculed the idea of progress—in fact, he noted a tone of despair in Mr Hogg's remarks on the questions of railway construction and the close settlement of the land. "Well," said Mr Hunter, "I consider the object of the whole Dominion should be to make the country as strong as possible in respect to its dependency on the London markets. To do this, there should be much more accomplished in the way of closer settlement, in order to avoid i having so nr.any of our eggs in one basket. The position of the Dominion to-day is that a low price lor wool for several years would bring about a most serious depression. We should get away from

that position as much as possible. Industrial concerns should, also, be protected within reason. Every effort should be made to make New Zealand as independent of other countries, so far, of course, as it is possible to accomplish reasonably such an end. We should use our own manufactures in preference to those coming from abroad—and in this respect the general public could do an enormous amount to develop the country. Industry of every kind should be encouraged to every reasonable extent. Take Masterton, lor example. I believe that woollen mills would pay here; then there is no doubt but that freezing works would pay. BACK-BLOCKS RAILWAY.

Then there is the matter of opening up the back-blocks by railway. Mr Hogg does not appear to be either very sanguine, or energetic, in advocating a work that would be of incalcuable value to the whole district, and which, I consider, it is entitled to have carried out. We should try and get it, and the least that we can do is to try!. ; CRITICISM SHOULD NOT BE ONE-SIDED. Any new man in the field of politics is subjected to a great deal of criticism, and, of course, every candidate should welcome genuine criticism, but I would say this 'don't let the electors forget to go, carefully into both sides!' If you study Mr Hogg's career you will find that he had veered about like a weather cock. A New Liberal one week and a Government supporter the next, and I notice that the members of the Ministry geem rather shy of visiting Masteron.* Take the lands for settlement question. Mr Hogg used to declare that he was going to drag the "Land for Settlements Act like a steam roller over the district." Why he has not even secured the cutting up of estates offered to the Government on most reasonable terms." "However," concluded Mr Hunter, "I shall address the electors of Masterton again before the poll is taken, when I shall deal with the political questions of the day and reply to some of Mr Hogg's—what shall I say? Oh, well, criticisms!" said Mr Hunter, with a laugh, and a pull at the dreadful cigar to which he is addicted.